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Wetland Services
Wetland regulations can seriously impact your ability to develop a property, expand an existing facility, or complete future phases of an existing project.
Wetlands of all sizes are subject to regulation. Federal, state, and local agencies may all have regulations restricting activities in and around wetlands. These regulations are subject to frequent change and differing interpretations.
BME has the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the regulatory maze by providing the following services:
- Preliminary Wetland Investigation/ Delineation - we recommend an initial investigation be conducted at the feasibility stage of a project. It is imperative that you know if you will be affected by wetlands and how they may impact your project.
- Regulatory Review - this can help identify the extent of regulatory control and options available to you.
- Site specific design options to reduce wetland disturbance and/or to mitigate the impacts of your design on wetland areas.
- Preparation and coordination of permitting agency application materials and review processing. Preparation of delineation reports.
- Preparation of mitigation and wetland restoration plans as required by the permitting agencies.
BME has a well-established rapport with both the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Corps of Engineers; the two agencies primarily responsible for regulating wetlands and permitting activities. BME has obtained numerous plan approvals and permits for a variety of project types including: industrial sites; office parks; golf courses; residential subdivisions; commercial developments; and municipal infrastructure improvements.
Regulatory Update
On June 7, 2000, the Army Corps of Engineers issued five new Nationwide Permits (NWP) and modified six existing NWPs to replace NWP 26. These regulations represent the culmination of a lengthy two year long public review process. There is also greater pressure on municipalities to comply with these new regulations. Indexing, which would have allowed a sliding scale for filling relative to project size, has been eliminated. The pre-construction notification requirements and threshold for fill without mitigation dropped from 1/3 acre to 1/10 acre. The ability to use nationwide permit authorization has dropped from 3 acres to 1/2 acre. In addition, wetland buffers may be required for certain situations. More and more municipalities and developers are turning to us for assistance in wetland consulting.
Representative Wetland Projects:
- Eastview Mall Expansion
Victor, NY- Flying J Travel Plaza
New Milford, PA- RG&E Gas Main Extension
Ogden/Gates, NY- Newbury Park
Penfield, NY- The Landings
Brighton, NY- RKH Golf Course
Victor, NY- Dansville Industrial Park
- Avon Industrial Park
- Stonetown Hamlet & Snyder Farm
Pittsford, NY- Johnstown High School
Johnstown, NY- Cobblestone Creek Golf Course
Victor, NY- Krautwurst Property
Webster, NY- Greystone Golf Course
Walworth, NY- Spall Home Properties
Pittsford, NY- Town of Canandaigua Access Roads
Snyder Farm Wetland